The drug MDMA (ecstasy) was first synthesized as an appetite suppressant in 1912 by a
German pharmaceutical company but because of its side effects it was never marketed.
Authorities relatively ignored MDMA until the late 1970s when it began to reemerge
in Europe. Illicit use of MDMA did not become popular in the US until the late 1980s
and early 1990s (Drug Enforcement Administration 2000). While MDMA abuse currently
is not as widespread as other drugs its use has increased 500% in the last five years. The
drug is typically taken orally, usually in tablet or powder form, and its effects last
from four to six hours. Users report feeling relaxed, positive, empathetic, and extremely
happy. It is also used as an aid to suppress hunger and sleep. To date no substantial
reports exist proving that it is physically or mentally addictive though immediate effects
include hallucinations, nausea, teeth and muscle cramping, chills, sweats, increase in
body heat and blurred vision. Reported after effects include sleep problems, high blood
pressure, anxiety, and paranoia.

Several recent studies on primates show that heavy exposure to MDMA can deplete
serotonin neurons, which are thought to play a role in regulating mood, memory, sleep, and
appetite. Research on the functional consequences of MDMA-induced damage of serotonin
producing neurons in humans is at an early stage, and the scientists who conducted the
recent studies cannot say definitively that the harm to seratonin neurons account for the
memory and mood impairments found in chronic users (US Dept. of Justice 2001). However,
the study found that compared to nonusers, heavy MDMA users had significant impairments in
visual and verbal memory. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that fatalities
have been linked to dehydration, hypothermia, cardiac arrest, and kidney failure arising
from the bodys inability to thermally regulate itself. While death is rare, the
risks are heightened in settings in which the users dance for extended periods of time in
hot and crowded conditions, where body temperatures can rise as high as 108 degrees. The
rare deaths that are associated with the drug MDMA are most often a result of other
additives put into the ecstasy pill. An ecstasy additive is being blamed for numerous
deaths in Florida and Chicago. The ecstasy pills being blamed for the six deaths in
Central Florida and three in Chicago contained PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine), which has
been described as "cooking a users brain like a 10-minute egg. It can burn out a
persons central nervous system by raising body temperatures as high as 108
degrees" (Brassfield 2000). These ecstasy pills containing PMA have been traced back
to illegal labs in Germany and Denmark.

Use Statistics

Recent media coverage has closely associated MDMA with clubs, all night raves, college
campuses, and rock concerts. MDMA is most often used by young adults and adolescents.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, overall teen drug use has remained
steady in 1999-2000, while ecstasy use has increased dramatically among 10th
and 12th graders. Increased use of MDMA has been reported in areas such as
Boston, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami (Focus Adolescent Services 2000). A recent
survey reported that 8% of high school seniors had tried MDMA, up from 5.8% the year
before. Authorities point out that the drug MDMA is marketed to youths because tablets are
usually stamped with designs such as cartoon characters, and popular youth product icons.
Unlike users of certain other drugs, users of MDMA rarely commit crimes to support a
habit. Over 85% of MDMA offenders have little or no criminal history, in contrast to 31%
of crack and heroin offenders with no criminal records (Murphy 2001).

Legal Status

MDMA is considered under federal law a schedule 1 drug, alongside other drugs such as
cocaine, heroin, and speed (Stone 2001). Possession of MDMA is, and long has been, a crime
under federal law, though several states have yet to put MDMA on their list of illegal
drugs. Maryland, in response to the growing ecstasy problem has created the DEWS (Maryland
Drug Early Warning System), which has a goal to reduce the use and availability of
ecstasy. The Maryland system has four goals, these include inform and educate the public,
intensify and focus law enforcement efforts, ensure diagnosis and treatment of ecstasy
users, and monitor ecstasy use in Maryland (Governors Office of Crime Control &
Prevention 2001). Illinois has reacted to the rising ecstasy use by attempting to elevate
the penalty for the sale of more than 200 grams of MDMA, as a class X felony, which
carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six years (Coen 2000). Other states such as Texas
have taken more drastic steps to penalize ecstasy possession. In Texas the possession of
less than 1 gram carries a mandatory minimum of 6 months-2 years in jail with a maximum
$10,000 fine (The Center for cognitive Liberty & Ethics 2001).

Possible Ecstasy Benefits & Education

There are several nonprofit organizations that advocate education rather than harsh
penalties for MDMA use. Dancesafe is one organization that offers pill testing kits and on
the spot testing at clubs and raves. Their philosophy has two fundamental operating
principals, harm reduction and popular education which enables peer based programs to
reduce drug abuse and empower young people to make healthy, informed lifestyle choices
(Dancesafe 2001). Dancesafe argues that the "just say no" campaign is not
working for teenagers. They also point out that attempting to scare youth with exaggerated
dangers does more harm than good. Some doctors argue that MDMA has several positive
medical benefits. Doctor Julie Holland cites several several supervised psychiatric and
medical uses of MDMA, which include: battling depression, post traumatic stress disorder,
eating disorders, marriage counseling, enhancing hypnotic sessions, and group therapy.